Drone program funding and credentials in Connecticut
FAA Part 107 is on CSDE’s Industry Recognized Credential Registry (CSREM001). How districts report it, how a course codes for Perkins, and the student data privacy contract terms.
Checked against official Connecticut and federal sources on October 18, 2026. Programs and deadlines change; every item links to its source.
Is Part 107 a state credential here?
On CSDE’s Industry Recognized Credential Registry as CSREM001
The CSDE IRC Registry for 2025-26 lists “Remote Pilot Certificate (FAA)” as CSREM001 in the Digital Technology cluster.
Starting with 2025-26, every district with a grade 9–12 student who earned a registry credential reports it, including credentials earned outside school. CSDE expects to publish the first IRC data on EdSight in winter 2027.
IRCs are not part of the Next Generation Accountability System today. CSDE has said it will explore adding them in a future year.
Either way, the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate is a federal credential and what the FAA requires to fly a drone for work. Students must be 16 to hold it (14 CFR 107.61).
How a drone course fits
Course coding for a Perkins pathway
There is no drone course code. CSDE maps SCED 20053 Aviation and 21019 PLTW Aerospace Engineering to the same sub-cluster, Air & Space Transportation. Perkins-funded pathways need a two-course sequence from one sub-cluster, taught by a CTE-certified educator such as a Technology Education (047) teacher.
Digital Technology as a cross-cutting cluster
Connecticut’s Perkins guidance treats Digital Technology as a cross-cutting cluster. Its own example is a drone operations course inside an agricultural career pathway.
Where the money can come from
Perkins V
Connecticut’s estimated FY 2026 Perkins allocation (state total, secondary and postsecondary), spent in the 2026-27 school year, is about $12.3 million. Districts need at least $15,000 or join a consortium. CSDE encourages, but doesn’t require, industry-recognized credentials in Perkins pathways.
CTE Secondary Supplemental Enhancement Grant
A competitive Perkins-funded grant of $25,000 to $50,000 for districts in rural towns or with at least 40% unduplicated CTE enrollment. Allowable aims include embedding industry-credential competencies in curricula and training teachers to prepare students for credentials. The 2026 round was due April 10, 2026. Watch for the next notice.
Federal sources that apply in every state, such as Title IV-A, are on the main funding page.
Buying and student privacy
Student data privacy contract terms
Connecticut law requires every district contract with an online education service to include specific terms: student data stays the district’s, deletion on request, breach notification, and others. The same law bars using student data for targeted advertising. The state publishes a model terms-of-service addendum, and vendors list on the Connecticut Educational Software Hub.
Dates to plan around
- WinterDistricts draft next year’s budget, so a fall course needs to be in the request.
- Winter 2027CSDE’s first public IRC data on EdSight.
- April 30Applications to add a credential to the IRC Registry (Part 107 is already listed).
Drone Edge doesn't administer grants and can't guarantee eligibility or awards. Your business office, grants team and state agency have the final word. We supply program descriptions, quotes and budget lines.
Planning a program in Connecticut?
Drone Edge is a three-track program: Part 107 available now · Drone Building early access January 2027 · Creative and AI complete the program for 2027–28. We'll walk through your program, class size and timeline, and send one quote with its lines grouped the way your funding sources need them.
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